Gaithersburg Pop-Up Food Services

Sources Sought Notice (SSN)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify qualified firms who would be interested in submitting proposals for the requirement stated below. In particular, small businesses and socioeconomic small businesses capable of performing the requirement are highly encouraged to respond. The following is a synopsis of the requirement:

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that corresponds with this requirement is 722514 (Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets). The small business size standard is $34 million. If this requirement is set-aside for small businesses and socioeconomic small businesses, there will be a limitation on subcontracting, which means that at least 50 percent of the resulting contract's personnel cost shall be expended on prime contractor employees.

To assist in developing an acquisition strategy for this upcoming procurement, NIST is issuing this SSN to seek information from current businesses operating under this NAICS.

It is the intent that any subsequent solicitation issued will result in the single award of a contract which represents the best value to the Government, non-price and price factors considered. It is expected that the contract will be one (1) years in length, including options.

In order to be considered for the contract, a vendor will be required to operate under the required NAICS.

NIST would expect to make one award under a single solicitation.

NIST is seeking a vendor that has the capability, experience, and expert knowledge to provide services related to pop-up food services as detailed in the attached scope of work.

This is only a request for responsible, technically qualified sources to respond in order to determine the appropriate method of procurement. Interested technically qualified firms should submit detailed Statements of Capability. The Statements of Capability should include detailed reference information and fully address and respond to the following questions.

NOTE: Failure to submit all information requested may result in a contractor not being considered as an interested small business concern.

Interested vendors are requested to respond to this SSN with the information outlined below:

I. Company Information:

A. Name of firm

B. Point of contact (name, phone number, and email address)

C. SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number

D. Annual Receipts

E. Business Size (Large/Small) for NAICS 722514

F. Socioeconomic Category(ies) (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB)

II. Capabilities Narrative:

1) Describe your firm’s experience and capabilities

2) Are you interested in this opportunity as a prime contractor, or as part of a Contractor Teaming Arrangement (CTA)? If a CTA/Joint venture, do you have an existing arrangement?

III. Additional Information:

Please respond to all questions and provide any of the following:

• Can you provide both breakfast and lunch options?
• Does your company have catering capabilities for multi-day events up to 100 participants?
• Commentary or suggestions to improve the Scope of Work
• Areas that are vague or need to be expanded on
• Questions regarding the Scope of Work
• Any other items you feel should be addressed in the Scope of Work

The capabilities package requested under this SSN is not expected to be a proposal, but rather a short statement regarding the company's ability to demonstrate existing expertise and experience in relation to this requirement. Any commercial brochures or currently existing marketing material may also be submitted with the capabilities package. Submission of a capabilities package is not a prerequisite to any potential future offerings, but participation will assist the NIST in tailoring its requirements to be consistent with industry standards.

Statements of Capability must be in writing. Responses are limited to no more than twenty (20) pages, exclusive of any commercial brochures or currently existing marketing material.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB, or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit NIST to contract for any supply or service. Further, NIST is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this RFI.

This is for planning purposes only and is a market research tool to determine availability and adequacy of potential business sources. Failure to submit all information requested will result in a contractor not being considered as an interested small business concern.

NIST will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. The government will not reimburse responders for the cost of the submittals. Submittals will not be returned to the responder.

Responses to this SSN are due no later than Friday, October 11, 2024, by NLT 3:30 p.m. EST. Submit responses to Tony Schmidt, Contracting Officer, via email at tony.schmidt@nist.gov.